Sunday, July 01, 2007

God bless fools like us

I really am trying to cut down on the CDs I buy, but when I saw Swedish singer Andreas Johnson's 1999 album Liebling, used, for $1.49 in a shop, I couldn't pass it up. Though I'm not very knowledgeable about him at all, didn't think much of "Sing For Me" (the Melodifestivalen song that led to a comeback popularity-wise in 2006), and, despite the constant comparisons between the two singers, much preferred Sebastian's "When The Night Comes Falling" to Andreas's "A Little Bit Of Love" in this year's Melodifestivalen, he has been involved with some things I think are great. "Glorious," which I think was the only one of his songs to have any sort of presence in the U.S. (please correct me if I'm wrong), is from Liebling and is an amazing song that hooks you in with that dramatic opening and doesn't let up in the sweeping chorus--definitely a must buy (available on U.S. iTunes) if you don't have it. In its original version, "A Little Bit Of Love" may have been pretty forgettable, the PJ Harmony Remix improves on it by leaps and bounds, making it dancier but not really housey--it's something I know I'm not going to be able to resist posting someday. For now, though, another song, one I first heard on Swedish radio quite a while ago and one of the few new songs on his greatest hits album, released after Melodifestivalen. (I'm embedding the video for "Glorious" because it's one of those songs everyone should hear, but, guessing most people have, posting a different song.)



Go For The Soul--though it won't suprise you at all to learn that Andreas is singing this song--in addition to his distinctive voice, it's not that different than some of his recent big hits--I somehow like it a lot more than either of his Melodifestivalen entries...maybe because, though it doesn't come near the drama (or timelessness) of "Glorious," it's closer to it than either of those two were, less cheesily upbeat and a little more hard-hitting. Given that I'm normally all for "cheesy upbeatness," I'm not sure why I so greatly prefer Andreas in this sort of mode--maybe it's just something in his voice.

To buy Andreas Johnson's greatest hits album The Collector, go here (physical) or here (digital). I haven't truly listened to Liebling enough to discuss it yet (I don't anticipate calling it a must buy by any stretch), but for some reason the second track "People" reminds me a little of something Espen Lind might have done right around his Sway phase, maybe just leaving it. I think I'm going to have to start further investigating Andreas's work; surely anyone who can write a song like "Glorious" must have approached its...glory at least once again in his work.

Next up: maybe a song from another used album I picked up, this one by a couple of Norwegians.

(I love the style of the above photo--by Elisabeth Frang, apparently--and whoever art directed the "Glorious" music video--or whoever stylized it--may deserve some sort of award.)

8 comments:

Paul said...

i actually have his greatest hits and listen to it sporadically. Glorious is one of those songs that is timeless and always sounds effortlessly marvelous. Am pretty sure it made top ten in England "back in the day"!

Raquelita said...

Liebling is a pretty good album,I got it for about £1,50 from Amazon as well.I think my favourite song on there is Games We Play,it's sooooo good.I love Kurt Nilsen but don't think his version was quite as good as the original.

Paul said...

PS - he's aged quite well :P

Poster Girl said...

"Efortlessly marvelous" is the perfect description for "Glorious"! It really does have a timeless feel to it.

I really can't believe I don't own a Kurt Nilsen album yet (especially given my love of Idol shows)! That's the second time in recent weeks I've heard good things.

Poster Girl said...

Oh, and "Games We Play" is great! :)

Kevin said...

I never really liked "Glorious" (that's just the type of pretentious, "credible" music I stay away from), however, the Hani remix is simply amazing. I totally recommend it.

I think Reprise had high hopes for the album, "Glorious" was coming to the US after being an international Top 10 hit. Nothing happened. Then it was re-promoted after its inclusion on "The Sopranos"... and again, nothing. After that, Reprise simply, and understandably, pulled the plug. "Glorious" was a huge hit in the clubs though, with additional mixes by Hybrid and Eiffel 65.

"Go For The Soul" has been remixed Emil, and the CD maxi also includes remixes of "A Little Bit Of Love", also remixed by Emil. (Is it me or does Andreas look like a ballroom dancer on the cover?).

Anonymous said...

OMG, i love Andreas! *sing for me* <3

Poster Girl said...

I'll definitely have to look out for that "Glorious" remix, then--he's had some really good remixes done. And he does look very ballroom dancerish on the cover ;)

I so need to look into more of his work! I don't know very much of it at all...